thankyou.. I did it. I drove today and had this youtube playing.. I was so tired of being restricted in my life for YEARS.

I have a fear of driving with others in the car because people telling me how to drive is so anxiety triggering. I will not drive at night unless I am driving home. I am really scared of driving somewhere unfamiliar. I am a mess.

This is great info. Never had an accident but developed anxiety and even panic attacks on highway, bridges, driving fast (makes me feel like passing out), and anxiety goes sky high if a big truck is behind me driving fast 😳.

So I started getting motorway anxiety 2 months ago after over 20 years of no issue with driving. I think my anxiety decided that it needed an outlet and chose motorways. It was so debilitating as I needed to get on the motorway to get to work. I listened to the video today and realised that I just needed to face my fear and expose myself to it. I just got on the motorway and did a whole junction and then came back the other way. When I first got on the motorway I felt like my heart was coming out of my throat but I just started singing to my music and it subsided. Thank you for this video, it really helped me get back on the road today

After a decade of experiencing anxiety while driving and watching countless videos I can honestly say this was the best advice that I could relate to instantly. The emotions Steve shared were familiar I felt like he was talking about me. Armed with these techniques I have hope that I too can overcome my fear of driving by preparing well. Thank you for sharing.

Still not working for me. I am on high alert all the time. I am not afraid of driving if no one else is on the road. It's all the other people that make me a wreck. Texting and driving, speeding, drunks. I watch people go through stop signs, red lights, speed. I can't take it. Of course I don't want to be on a highway more of a chance of a disabling accident or death. Fast speeds kill. Had 2 accidents hit from behind and that ways long before cell phone texting. 1985 and 1999. Always look in mirror and pull up some as many times people are speeding right at me from behind instead of slowing up long before hand. I hate it all. Another major fear is hitting a deer. Can't imagine what pain that would cause on a highway. Multiple pile up? Yeah I am totally in fear of all the what if's. :(

i wish i found this helpful discussion when it was uploaded. my VA therapists haven't a clue as to what driving anxiety is and haven't offered any tips on how to combat it. in fact, i was interrupted when telling the story of how i went on the hwy 30miles round trip after avoiding it for 2 yrs, only to be interrupted, have the subject changed, and notes taken about me and my "tangential" account of driving to a doctor's appointment. KZfaq is more therapeutic than any VA counselor I have had so far. Too bad I don't live in LA, but thanks to KZfaq I can indirectly get therapy from this podcast. Keep it up. You are helping this Veteran with lots of amazingly helpful tips. Also, i can completely relate to the person in the darkened room.

I had a panic attack due to passenger of mine yelling at me as I was driving on the freeway. My whole body was shaking and I had to pull off and let them finish the drive. I actually drove home (on the freeway), but weeks out the anxiety while driving started to creep up randomly while driving. First the freeway, then on the streets. It would wax and wane, but I never stopped driving. I did stop driving on the freeway and was resigned to this new life and said I’d just drive on the street only if I needed to. Well a little over ten years out, the intensity of the anxiety started to get worse, just driving the street. I had my eyes checked, no problems. Doctors don’t suspect anything neurologically wrong. I know it’s behavioral and I just want my freedom back.

Thanks for this. Im adding self help for driving videos into a playlist. I have ptsd after my 2 year old passed away which has now morphed into a driving phobia when I used to love driving. It was my happy space. Now I struggle to drive 5 minutes away.

I’m so scared to drive. I have a car but only go to work and back. I wanna get out more but I’m scared to go alone. Only time I drive anywhere else is if my husband is with me 😭😭 it’s the only time I feel at ease

I count back from 200. It works for me to distract my brain from being anxious

I also think one thing to keep in mind is geographical disorientation. For a lot of us who dread driving, it also has to do with not knowing where we are, even if we use GPS. I call it driving dyslexia. If I have to drive a new route, it will take me about ten times driving the new route before it begins to make sense to me. So even though I do drive, it's not much fun, as you can imagine!

Thank you all . I had this fear of driving for a long time . I’m 43 going on to 44 years old . My troubles are trying to relax . That’s my problem . I failed the test 3 times . My father pushes my buttons and my brother too. My mother never had a drivers license before . She’s afraid of driving . That’s who I inherited from her . I want that freedom . I’m from British Columbia Canada

I am 41. When I was in my 20s. I never had any anxiety. When I was 31, I unknowing ate a cupcake laced with THC butter, which sent my heartrate to 180 and sent me to the ER. Since then I would have random episodes of fast heart rate, while driving, which would cause a panic attack. Since then, I have struggle with all types of symptoms that were mentioned in this video. Anytime I feel uneasy, it is amplified while driving. I do, however, tend to feel better when someone else, who can drive, is riding with me.

This is very helpful. I’ve had highway anxiety for a year and I would agree that regular practice/exposure is good. I am a single mom and one of my sons doesn’t have his license yet. I have to pick him up from school daily and sometimes drive him to his dads house 10 min away. I work at home. If I wasn’t forced to drive him around I would have just stayed at home as much as possible. I have made slow progress. A year ago I could only drive 45 mph. I am up to 65 mph now so I am at the point where I have been able to go on the highway 3 times. I only went one exit (1/2 mile) each time. The speed limit here is 70 so 65 in the right lane is doable. Each time has gotten a little easier. Once I feel more in control driving that one exit I’ll go 2, etc. while listening to this lecture I created a “panic pack” to keep in my car. I wrote down the mantra and breathing technique and included it in the pack. I also have homeopathic remedies, essential oils, flower essences. Even if those things aren’t strong enough to pull me out of full on panic, I think having a “tool kit” is sort of representative and makes me feel like I have a crutch with me. Also grabbing those things and using them in a panic may ground me. I find that I get ungrounded, like I’m going to pass out, like my soul is going to leave my body. Having a “panic pack” may give me something grounding to do. Idk we will see. My son literally sells something called the “worry monster” as part of his business. I may grab one of those and put it in there. They are made for kids but hey anything to make me feel “not alone” I guess lol

ty, this has helped a lot. I used to love driving. I even drove from NY to CA and back once. Then all of sudden I had panic attack behind the wheel and haven't driven in over three years.

Thanks for this! I have a license but I fear being in traffic, horns, sirens, people text while driving! It's scary

thx for this.wish the presenter didn't cut off the speaker so often and jumping ahead, instead wait for q&a. ken is very accommodating and flexible.

Thank you so much guys! I had some anxiety in high school about driving, but I kept driving and got over it, but then after graduation I moved to NYC for 15 years where I never drove and the anxiety grew and grew. I've been out in LA for four years now and I started driving again this year, but sporadically. This video gave me some helpful tips.

Guys- I cant thank you enough. I have had driving anxiety ever since I had an operation last year and couldn't drive for a while. I'm guessing that by avoiding driving it made the anxiety worse. Anyway.....after watching your video I got in my car today and told myself "I can (I can), relaaaaax" over and over again while doing the 3x3 breathing. I was still anxious but I managed to drive to two different shops ...all by MYSELF! The breathing tool and knowing that anxiety cannot hurt me and knowing how to look my anxiety in the eye and not be afraid of it is a total game changer. Thank you for posting this for free so that it can help people. You helped me SO MUCH today. Bless you all. xxx

This is amazing, crazy how when you’re going through something and magicially something like this video shows up! I have a fear of driving to a place I’ve never been to. I feel shamed upon because of it. It’s an actual fear, haven’t been able to overcome because I’m terrified to the point of panic attacks. Very scary bc I have lives in the car.

I've actually teared up while watching this because Steve's experience with driving anxiety sounds so very much like my own. Hearing him speak with confidence about how he addressed his fears head on made me feel like I actually have a chance at kicking my own driving fear's butt. Fearful driving has been one of the hardest challenges I've had to face, especially after having been a decent-ish enough driver for decades without any trouble until the past few years. Feeling my world close in around me more and more as this seemingly irrational fear consumed me has been incredibly frustrating and esteem eroding. I've wanted my confidence back as well as my sense of independence for such a long time without having much success in other approaches. I'm hopeful that Ken Goodman's approach will help me begin to win some of my life back. Thanks for making this discussion available!

This guy's description is completely different than mine, I am terrified on the freeway - why the speed is over 60-80? I don't get it-, when changing lanes to take the exit and then the horror of horros is freeway intersection, I literally spasm and close my eyes when I'm a passenger. I don't even have a car now

I’m going to give these points a go tomorrow. I have been really struggling with this driving anxiety for far to long. It’s affecting me in my life to where I can’t even do my job correctly. Time to push myself through.

We were in a car accident two years ago car got rear ended ,my husband was the driver at that time , this year I got my drivers license and every time I get in the car to drive I start sweating and I start shaking. Every 5 seconds I keep checking my mirrors I’m afraid people are going to get mad. I live in nyc and traffic is terrible.

Thank you

Excellent video very professional 👍

Hi this is the best I heard so far from anxiety top class 👏

Thank you so much it was very helpful and informative

Thank you for this video. I experienced driving fear over 5 years ago and got over it, then this past October it paid me a visit and was so paralyzed with fearI stopped driving again. I forgot what to do or what “tools” to use to get over the panic while driving! This video helped me change my mindset and the tools to use to be in control. It’s so helpful to “allow” and not fight it. This video helped get back my confidence.

My panic attack followed poor health after diagnosed with Coeliac disease, low Iron and other vitamins. The lightheadedness reminded me of when I fainted. Not a good thought when in charge of a car at the traffic lights!

i backslid and dont drive anymore.. I drove past weekend and anticipated the fear... I ruined a lunch date. I had such severe panic I was afraid to go home..listening to this again a year later. my life is very restricted from this.

Yawning a lot helps me and reading everything I drive past, like signs and just describing them in my head. Also turning the AC up and/or putting the windows down.

thanks

This was a great presentation and very helpful thank you! If you don't mind my two cents, but next time it'd be easier if the presenter did not interrupt at so many moments, it disturbed the flow for me.

Anger towards panic sounds spot on

I hope this works well. I'm learning to drive, and I cut my drive short yesterday because I was shaking and my heart was beating soo fast. Thing is, my test is in September. I am nervous and scared, but, driving is important and I really don't want to pass up my ability to drive due to fear.

Thank you. I managed to drive a bit today after stopping for two years, it was a short trip though, but I will keep trying to drive more little by little. Thanks again for the advice.

thankyou very much.. all the years i talk to my therapist and other therapists they all try to find the ROOT of why I am afraid of driving. nothing they did ever helped me one bit. Just very annoying because they didnt help me one bit. does it matter so much what the root cause it? and if I find it how is it going to help me drive/

I have so much anxiety I even get nervous when OTHER people are driving. Not everyone but some people I get nervous when they drive certain ways

For anxiety I mean it's awful living in a box I can drive on certain roads, times road surfaces make me feel very uncomfortable out of my comfort zone far from home is what's awful for me

I've developed a fear of driving on the motorway. It's been years since I last drove there, despite having tried hypnosis and counseling. I'm still struggling to overcome this fear. I'm comfortable driving on regular roads, but the motorway seems daunting. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.

Wow I’m not alone I just have this anxiety that become in my 40’s ! It’s terrible feeling

I do belly breathing rather than the chest because it feels like the problems start from the belly and push up to the chest. By relaxing the abdomen it stops physical tension rising. To compensate for the mind thinking stuff that’s not helpful I imagine my belly smiling like there was a happy guy sitting in there. If I can’t do that I look at my resistance to having a smiles radiate from my belly and decide I for the smiles if there’s a tough of war.

Driving is scary thing for me. I want to get so good at the fear becomes a very minimum if possible. I’m still holding on to the belief that driving is one of scariest things in the world to do when you don’t know how to damn drive!

Have all these symptoms 22 years even if I think about a trigger all the symptoms kick in the driving one the last 15 years I avoid everything il drive over a bridge if there’s no traffic on it but if I get stuck in traffic on a bridge I’d have to leave the car and run just to get off it walking over one I get super dizzy and my legs turn to jelly an freeze this applies to all the phobias mentioned motorways tall buildings multi-storey car parks hills cliff , cliff drives 😨flying what causes all this I’m told it’s trauma but I never suffered trauma , I had 2 panic attacks in 2000 that’s it , the fear and panic on a daily 24/7 basis is a nightmare what do I have 🙏and how to I finally overcome it

I've developed a debilitating fear of driving after my Dad passed away. I haven't driven in eight years.

I had a first panic attack driving So now I'm scared to drive alone had another on for the first time in a long time now I'm nervous again

i need a natural calming pill to help me. i notice when im tired, i do not have anxiety. its like my body is too tired to care for it.

I am having bad anxiety after getting my new car it came as a shock for me because I was driving good before

I wish the guy hosting this would stop and let the Man talk. The flow was not there watching this. I felt more anxious watching this lol as I kept waiting for the interruption from you. I know you are doing a good job Just a bit of constructive criticism For anyone that suffers from this fear of driving like me I just want to hear what the Professional has to say without the constant interruption and clarifications on every thing he says.

Stopped driving when Covid came . My problem is because of that I’ve forgotten where I need to turn to get to certain places and also I have been traumatized by being with my husband when he had seizures while driving and I had to get control of the car. How can I get help with this?

Hi I feel the road ahead looks so long and far in front of me and I can't get there to the end of the road

Hi. Need answer plss.. Im aalways on edge.. Feeling symptoms diziness fatigie stomach problme... Whenevr i start going out with my car short distance my symptoms start peak And the longer the destination im headed the more symptoms more fear and more feeling of losing control. And my symptoms wired. I dont know if anybody had experinced before. I feel all of sudden lose energy in. My body and lightheaded and my eyeys like it pulling out fron its place. Sometimes hyperventulation and vv strong fear of losing control. I call my frirnds just to stay on line untill i get safe but somrthimes nobody anseer my call. And i keep driving. And i succesd i get home. Then i feel strong fatigue. I know. Someone would tell me why didnt u pull over.sometimes im on bridge or high there is no chance of pulling over. So. Wht can i do about its horrible. Im 52 i cnnit enjoy life

What if you are completly not there when you are driving and the fear overcome you and take the control?

Yeah... No I'm going to die. I guess I was never meant to drive.

38 years old I've been driving since I was 16 love to drive use to go for drives to clam my mind never had anxiety or panic attack and last month it started out of the blue I was on the freeway way felt like I was gonna pass out my first panic attack to the point where I have to hype myself up I have to leave my house at least an hour earlier than normal to give myself time to get to my destination just in case I have to pull over to gather myself I just want my life back I've tried all kinds of herbal medicine and don't want to do any Rx due to side effects I'll leave it god's hands I wouldn't wish this upon my worst

22:47

For me I'm scared of driving alone , far alone with my kids Places I'm not familiar with

I’m ready to give up on life 😢

The only thing youre scared of is what other people think about you. This is why if you drive with a halloween mask on for a prank you wont be scared. Because you become a character that has its own established identity while hiding yours. So the only way to beat anxiety is to find your own identity. You have to select a character.

45:12

I've developed a fear of driving on the motorway. It's been years since I last drove there, despite having tried hypnosis and counseling. I'm still struggling to overcome this fear. I'm comfortable driving on regular roads, but the motorway seems daunting. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.